Loading dock seal with flow through vent

ABSTRACT

A loading dock seal has one or more recesses formed within the loading dock seal and covered by a transparent material. Mesh segments are utilized to screen some of the recesses to reduce rain, snow, rodents, insects and debris from passing through the recess passageway to the loading dock. A further transparent or opaque mesh segment cover can be utilized to selectively cover one or more of the mesh segments.

CONTINUATION DATA

This application hereby claims the benefit to U.S. application Ser. No. 10/445,102, filed May 22, 2003 and is hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a loading docking seal having passageways formed therethrough to selectively allow air to flow through the passageways along with movable see through panels to increase visibility therethrough.

2. Description of the Related Art

A loading dock seal is attached around a loading dock doorway. A vehicle backs up until the rear of the vehicle is in contact with the loading dock seal. Once the rear of the vehicle is in contact or adjacent with the loading dock seal, workers transfer goods between the vehicle and the loading dock. The loading dock seal is utilized to protect the workers from the rain, snow, wind and cold during the loading and unloading process.

The loading dock seal can keep heat from escaping from the loading dock during the loading and unloading process. This heat insulating effect of loading dock seals can prove problematic in that the temperature can become very hot within the loading area because the hot air cannot escape from the loading dock, and cool air cannot flow thereinto during the loading and unloading process. This heat can be very uncomfortable for the workers loading and unloading the goods.

Another problem occurs if an opening or gap is intentionally left between the rear of the parked vehicle and the loading dock to allow cool air to enter into the loading area. By leaving a gap between the rear of the vehicle and the loading dock, rodents, insects, rain, snow and debris may enter into the loading area.

Another problem with loading dock seals is that rails, rollers or hinges are typically used in their construction. If the vehicle backs into the loading dock seal unevenly, at too high of a speed, or without braking, the rails, rollers and hinges can become damaged and require replacement. This increases the maintenance costs for the loading dock seal.

Furthermore, some materials that could be utilized, for example foam rubber, to construct the loading dock seal may be very quickly damaged and destroyed by the ultraviolet rays from the sun.

Other problems, with prior art dock seals are that, at times visibility from outside the seal to inside, and vise versa, are reduced. What is needed in the art is a dock seal with increased visibility.

These problems are solved by the present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention, in one form thereof, is a loading dock seal for sealing between a loading dock and a vehicle. The loading dock seal has a base connected to the loading dock. One or more support members are connected to the base in a spaced apart relationship forming one or more passages or recesses therebetween to permit ambient air to pass to and from the sealed loading dock area. A mesh segment is disposed adjacent to a recess allowing air to travel through the recess while keeping rodents, insects, rain, snow and debris from entering and traversing through the recess.

The present invention, in on form thereof, includes the use of see through panels and construction materials, preferably see through vinyl, transparent vinyl, or other materials that allow a person to visualize what is on an opposite side of the dock seal.

The present invention, in another form thereof, is a loading dock seal for sealing between a loading dock and a vehicle. The loading dock seal has a base connected to the loading dock. One or more support members are connected to the base in a spaced apart relationship forming one or more passages or recesses therebetween to permit ambient air to pass to and from the sealed loading dock area in at least one direction. Other passageways, or through spaces may be made in various directions through the loading dock seal assembly itself, including front to back, exterior to interior, and top to bottom. A seal cover is located about the base and support members that includes at least some portions that are see through or substantially transparent to enable visualization through the dock seal assembly. The seal cover may also include a mesh segment disposed adjacent a recess or passage, thereby allowing air to travel through the passages or recesses while keeping rodents, insects, rain, snow and debris from entering and traversing through the recess. Of critical importance is the ability to see through the dock seal for increased visibility of personnel, products, and vehicle docking/undocking activity. The present invention, in yet another form thereof, is a loading dock seal for sealing between a loading dock and a vehicle. The loading dock seal has a base and a top connected to the loading dock. A plurality of foam blocks are connected in a spaced apart relationship to the base. A strip of foam is connected to the plurality of foam blocks creating at least one passageway (or recess) between the strip of foam and the base. The passageway traverses from an area within the loading dock seal to an area outside the loading dock seal, thereby permitting fresh air flow from into the loading dock area from the ambient outside atmosphere if such passageway is open or covered with mesh. An alternate construction of the passageways would be through the base, foam, and foam blocks in almost any direction, then covered by a visually transparent seal cover portion, thereby allowing visualization through the dock seal system.

A seal cover is located about the base, a plurality of foam blocks and the strip of foam. The seal cover may be transparent or opaque, but at least includes transparent or see through sections that align with the recesses or passageways to enable visualization through the dock seal system. The cover may have at least one mesh segment that screens a passageway allowing air to travel therethrough while keeping and/or reducing rodents, insects, rain, snow and debris from entering through the loading dock passageway. A mesh segment cover or flap which is either transparent or opaque, and which is connectable to the cover or mesh segment for partially or completely sealing the mesh segment, may be utilized.

The present invention, in yet another form thereof, is a loading dock seal for sealing a loading dock and a vehicle. The loading dock seal has a resilient and at least partially transparent sealing member for attachment about the loading dock. The sealing member has a screened passageway to permit screened air to pass therethrough.

An advantage of the present invention, is that by having passageways through the dock seal system, covered by at least a substantially transparent material, increased visualization through the dock seal system may occur, reducing blind areas, and increasing area safety and light.

An advantage of the present invention is that, by forming passageways into the loading dock seal and by at least one of the passages having a mesh segment adjacent to or through the passage, the mesh segment is able to allow air to flow and light to pass through the passage and therethrough the loading dock seal to make the loading area a more comfortable environment. The mesh segment also prevents/eliminates rodents, insects, rain, snow and debris from passing through the passage and to the loading dock area.

Another advantage of the present invention is that, by using a mesh segment cover to cover at least a portion of a mesh segment, air flow through the passages in the loading dock seal can be controlled. Also, the mesh segment cover can completely cover or seal a mesh segment to keep cold weather elements (e.g., cold air, snow) from entering the loading area through the passage while also being either transparent or opaque to light or vision.

Yet another advantage of the present invention is that rails, rollers or hinges are not used or needed in the construction of the loading dock seal and, therefore, reduced maintenance and construction costs are possible.

Still another advantage of the present invention is that, by coating the loading dock seal with a material, preferably a UV light shielding vinyl to protect the loading dock seal from solar ultraviolet rays, ultraviolet damage to the loading dock seal can be minimized, while still allowing non UV light to pass through the dock seal system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above-mentioned and other features and advantages of this invention, and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and the invention will be better understood by reference to the following description of an embodiment of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side sectional view of the loading dock seal without a seal cover or mesh segment, in one form of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side sectional view of the loading dock seal having a seal cover, mesh segments and a mesh segment cover, in one form of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is an exaggerated perspective view of the loading dock seal, in one form of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a side sectional view of the loading dock seal having a seal cover about the base, support members, support strip and recesses, in one form of the present invention; and

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the loading dock seal having a seal cover located about the base, support members and a support strip, in one form of the present invention.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. The exemplification set out herein illustrates one preferred embodiment of the invention, in one form, and such exemplification is not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings and particularly to FIG. 1, there is shown one side of the loading dock seal system 10 of the present invention. Loading dock seal 10 has a base 12. Base 12 is constructed from wood, but other materials such as plastic or metal can be utilized therefor. Base 12 is approximately 2″×12″×8′ but other sizes thereof can be utilized as well. Base 12 is connected to a loading dock (not shown) utilizing bolts, fasteners, screws or any other type of connecting device (not shown).

One or more support members 16 are connected to base 12. Support members 16 are compressible pads made of a foam, rubber, or other elastomeric/resilient material. Support members 16 are connected to base 12 in preferably an evenly spaced apart relationship utilizing glue, bolts, screws, fasteners or other connecting devices. The present invention is not limited to support members 16 being spaced evenly apart but can be spaced at variable distances as well. Also, a single support member 16 can instead be utilized.

A support strip 26 is glued or connected by some other fastener to support members 16. Support strip 26 is advantageously formed of a single strip of material but can be composed of multiple strips of material as well. Support strip 26 is preferably formed from a foam, rubber, or other elastomeric material. Support strip 26 is connected to each and every support member 16, in one form of the present invention, but can be connected to one or a plurality of support members 16 in another form thereof.

Between some or all of the adjacent support members 16, a recess 14 (also described in this application as a pathway, passage or passageway) is formed. In another form of the present invention, recess 14 is an opening between base 12, support members 16 and support strip 26. Recess 14 allows ambient air to flow through loading dock seal 10 to the loading dock. Alternatively, base 12, support members 16, and support strip 26 could together be of a unitary construction (not shown), with at least one recess 14 formed therethrough.

More clearly, such passageway or recess 14 may be located at any direction through loading dock seal system 10 including front to back, exterior to interior, and top to bottom. FIG. 3 shows a recess 14 passing front to back through loading dock seal system 10. Preferably passageway or recess 14 is covered by at least a partially transparent cover 18, to thereby allow light passage there through. More importantly, with transparent cover 18, now visualization may take place through loading dock seal 10, in any direction passageways or recesses 14 are formed. Preferably, the transparent portions of cover 18 are made from see through vinyl or transparent vinyl, although other see through materials may be utilized. Also such cover 18 may be treated to filter UV light. Cover 18 may be consist of some portions that are transparent and some that are not, the critical criteria is that at least one of the transparent portions align with recess 14 to permit visualization through dock seal system 10.

Support members 16 and support strip 26 are coated with a polyurethane elastomeric coating to protect support members 16 and support strip 26 from being damaged by the ultraviolet rays emitted from the sun. The polyurethane elastomeric coating can be sprayed or brushed onto support members 16 and support strip 26. The use of a polyurethane elastomeric coating is not meant to be limiting, and other types of coatings that can be applied to the elastomeric material to protect the elastomeric material from the solar ultraviolet rays can be utilized.

A seal cover 18, as shown in FIG. 2 and substantially transparent as discussed above in another form of the invention, is located about base 12, recess 14, support members 16 and support strip 26. Seal cover 18 is shown as being located about base 12, recess 14, support member 16 and support strip 26 in FIG. 4 of the drawings. Also, a cross-sectional view of seal cover 18 located about base 12, support member 16 and support strip 26 is shown in FIG. 5. Seal cover 18 is made from a material, such as vinyl, to protect seal cover 18, base 12, support member 16 and support strip 26 from damage caused by the sun, weather or a vehicle impacting seal cover 18. In a preferred form of the invention, the vinyl is transparent to permit visualization through loading dock seal system 10. Other vinyl considered transparent for use in the present application, and specifically included in the scope of at least one form of the invention, include tinted or UV safe vinyl. Such vinyl permit light and visualization to occur through them even if not totally clear.

Seal cover 18 may include (either attached or integrally forming therewith) a mesh segment 20 adjacent to recess 14. Mesh segment 20 can be adjacent to a single recess 14, all of the recesses 14 or any number of recesses 14 therebetween. Mesh segment 20 can be located on the interior surface 30 of loading dock seal 10, the exterior surface 32 of loading dock seal 10 or both interior surface 30 and exterior surface 32 of loading dock seal 10. Mesh segment 20 is utilized to allow air to flow through loading dock seal 10 while preventing rodents, insects, rain, snow and/or debris from entering through loading dock seal 10. The present invention is not limited to a mesh segment 20, and any segment that can allow air to flow through loading dock seal 10 while preventing rodents, insects, rain, snow and debris out of the loading dock can be utilized as well. An example of mesh segment 20 could be a metal or plastic screen.

A mesh segment cover 22 is utilized to partially or completely seal/cover mesh segment 20 or recess 14. Mesh segment cover 22 can be located on interior surface 30 of loading dock seal 10, exterior surface 32 of loading dock seal 10 or both interior surface 30 and exterior surface 32 of loading dock seal 10. Mesh segment cover 22 is made from a material, such as transparent or opaque vinyl.

Seal cover 18 has hook and loop fasteners 24 located adjacent to support strip 26 and base 12. Mesh segment cover 22 likewise utilizes hook and loop fasteners to facilitate connection thereof to hook and loop fasteners 24 on seal cover 18.

Mesh segment cover 22 is rolled up as shown in FIG. 2 to allow air to flow through each mesh segment 20. Mesh segment cover 22 is unrolled to partially or completely cover each of the recesses 14 as shown in FIG. 3. An example would be if loading dock seal 10 had three recesses 14 and the loading dock workers wanted to cover two of recesses 14, the workers would unroll mesh segment cover 22 to cover two of recesses 14 and apply the hook and loop fasteners from mesh segment cover 22 to hook and loop fasteners 24 on seal cover 18. Mesh segment cover 22 would stay in the position to which it was attached to seal cover 18 until the loading dock workers desired to cover or uncover more of recesses 14.

Loading dock seal 10 can also have a seal top 28, as shown in FIG. 3. Seal top 28 is formed from an elastomeric material, such as foam. Seal top 28 is then covered with a material, such as vinyl to protect seal top 28 from rain and snow. Seal top 28 can include recesses such as those formed in the sides of loading dock seal 10. As shown in FIG. 3, passageways or recesses 14 may be located various ways through loading dock seal 10, such for example front to back (as shown along seal top 28) or interior to exterior (through the sides as shown. More than one recess 14 may be utilized through any member, while the system 10 permits recess 14 to have any orientation for example front to back, side to side, interior to exterior, top to bottom, to permit light and/or increased visualization through loading dock seal system 10.

In another form of the present invention, mesh segment cover 22 will be a single piece of material covering each of mesh segments 20. Mesh segment cover 22 has a zipper located in the center of the entire length of the single piece of material covering each of mesh segments 20. The zipper can be zipped completely to the top of loading dock seal 10 to allow no air to flow through recesses 14. As the zipper is unzipped towards the bottom of loading dock seal 10, more air is able to flow through recesses 14.

In operation, loading dock seal 10 is attached to a loading dock. A vehicle backs up until the frame of the rear door of the vehicle comes into contact with loading dock seal 10. The elastomeric material utilized to create loading dock seal 10 provides for a cushion so that the loading dock is not damaged by the vehicle coming into contact with loading dock seal 10. Also, the elastomeric material substantially creates a seal around the rear of the vehicle once the vehicle comes into engagement with loading dock seal 10. The loading dock workers can then use mesh segment cover 22 to cover one or more of mesh segments 20 located in loading dock seal 10 if it is a cold day to keep cold air from entering through a mesh segment 20 and recess 14 combination. If it is a hot day, the loading dock workers will not use mesh segment cover 22 but instead will roll them up or move them out of the way to allow air to flow through mesh segment 20 and recess 14. Based on the conditions, for example temperature or wind in the loading area, any number of mesh segments 20 can be covered using mesh segment cover 22. The present invention permits increased visualization and light penetration through load dock seal system 10.

While this invention has been described as having a preferred design, the present invention can be further modified within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. This application is therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using its general principles. Further, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which this invention pertains and which fall within the limits of the appended claims. 

1. A loading dock seal for providing a sealing relationship between a loading dock and a vehicle, the loading dock seal comprising: a base connected to the loading dock; a plurality of support members connected to said base in a spaced apart relationship, at least one support members defining a recess therebetween; and a substantially transparent cover sealing said recess and mounted on at least one of said base and one said support member.
 2. The loading dock seal in claim 1, wherein at least one said support member is made from an elastomeric material.
 3. The loading dock seal in claim 1, further comprising a mesh segment located about a second recess, said mesh segment configured for screening air traveling through said second recess.
 4. The loading dock seal in claim 1, further comprising a seal cover located about said base and said plurality of support members, said seal cover being made of an elastomeric material.
 5. A loading dock seal for providing a sealing relationship between a loading dock and a vehicle, the loading dock seal comprising: a base connected to the loading dock; a plurality of support members connected to said base in a spaced apart relationship, each member pair of adjacent support members defining a recess therebetween; and a transparent seal cover located about said base and said plurality of support members.
 6. The loading dock seal in claim 5, further comprising said seal cover having a mesh segment disposed adjacent at least one said recess allowing air to travel through said recess and a transparent mesh segment cover for at least one of partially and completely covering said mesh segment.
 7. The loading dock seal in claim 5, wherein at least one said support member are made from an elastomeric material.
 8. The loading dock seal in claim 5, wherein said seal cover is made from an elastomeric material.
 9. A loading dock seal for sealing between a loading dock and a vehicle, the loading dock seal comprising: a base and a top connected to the loading dock; a plurality of foam blocks connected in a spaced apart relationship to said base; a strip of foam connected to said plurality of foam blocks, said strip of foam, said plurality of foam blocks, and said base together defining at least one passage extending through the loading dock seal; a seal cover located about said base, said plurality of foam blocks and said strip of foam, said cover having a a transparent segment, said transparent sealing said at least one passages in a manner allowing light to travel therethrough;.
 10. A loading dock seal for sealing a loading dock and a vehicle, the loading dock seal comprising: a resilient sealing member for attachment about the loading dock, said sealing member having a transparent covered passageway to permit light to pass therethrough.
 11. The loading dock seal in claim 10, further comprising a means for opaquely sealing said passageway.
 12. A loading dock seal for sealing between a loading dock and a vehicle, the loading dock seal comprising: a primary seal structure, said primary seal structure being one of an assembly and a unitary construction, said primary seal structure having an inside seal face and an outside seal face, said inside seal face for facing the loading dock, said outside seal face for facing the vehicle, said primary seal structure having a through recess therein, said through recess extending through said primary seal structure from said outside seal face to said inside seal face; and a transparent segment disposed against said primary seal structure and extending across said through recess, said transparent segment thereby permitting visualization through the primary seal structure.
 13. The loading dock seal of claim 12, wherein said transparent segment is mounted to at least one of said outside seal face and said inside seal face.
 14. The loading dock seal of claim 12, wherein said through recess is one of a plurality of through recesses, each said through recess being covered by at least one said transparent segment. 